240 State Papers and Addresses

own problems. As our concept of present day problems is outlined, however, you
can perceive readily how, of necessity, this increased inter-relationship between
State and Federal Government has come into being. And prospects undoubtedly
are that it will become greater rather than diminish.

Just what, then, are the functions of government under conditions prevail •
ing in the world today? What can and should government do to insure the
greatest well-being of all its people, and to provide at the same time for a
continuing state of national well-being? What are the most pressing of mani-
"fold problems that face our State Administrations and the National Administra-
tion in Washington, as we jointly strive to find a way out of the maze, a way
we can tread without sacrifice of national or individual honor?

As I see it, -our people are faced at the moment with a recurrence of the
age-old struggle for existence, a struggle that has been the lot of all living
creatures from the beginnings of time, but which we, here in America, have
been able 4o forget in the midst of our plentitude of the world's riches.
Throughout the world we see militaristic nations, their appetites whetted, their
national treasures sadly depleted, casting baleful glances in our direction,
actually threatening us with the loss of our Democratic rights and privileges
if we dare to raise an objection to their militaristic designs and ventures*

With the threat of their hostility hanging over us like a cloud, no more
important function could be fufilled by the government today than to provide
in full measure for the safety of every last one of our millions of inhabitants,
and for the continuance of our free existence as a Nation. All the priceless
rights which we enjoy as American citizens, all the wealth that has been
accumulated under the system of free enterprise that has been our national
lot these hundred and sixty-five years, will come to nothing if we are not strong
enough to defend ourselves against the aggressor nations that are ravaging
the world today.

This, then, can be safely designated as the Number One function of Govern-
ment today—to survive by becoming so strong that no nation or combination of
nations may overcome us. Prostrate France, Poland, Belgium and the other
invaded lands of Europe; bleeding China, in the far-off Orient, made inescap-
able the realization that the forces of war and destruction spare nothing when
once they are loosed upon a weak nation. What has happened in Europe and
in Asia must be a convincing argument to even the most thoughtless among us
that we could expect nothing different if ever we allowed ourselves to present
an inadequate defense against those warlike leaders who are anxious to
attack us.

Universal peace, and the theory of overcoming warlike threats by soft
words, were splendid objectives ten years ago. Today, we know, through the
bitter experience of other lands, than our own, that when once the warlike
passions of strong nations are aroused, and, prodded by power-crazed leaders,
seek new outlets for their endeavors, new sources of wealth for their coffers,
there is only one safeguard, and that is thoroughly adequate defensive force,
by land and sea and air.

Preparedness of such a nature is one of the several phases of govern-
mental action where there must be, of necessity, a close degree of coordination
between State and Federal Government. Defense is not, and cannot be, a
State affair. It is too big a problem for any State to attempt to solve by itself.
It is a problem for the entire nation. In preparedness, in a Country as far-